Players get taste of the big time

Each of the four varsity champions from the Pinellas Youth Football Conference and Suncoast Youth Football Conference were invited by the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to face off with Hillsborough County conference champs.

The winners advanced to the Game Day of Champions at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

"We warmed up and stretched in the locker room before running out onto the field," he said. "It was an unbelievable experience for the boys."

Against Largo, the Cougars scored on a 4-yard run by Chaz Powell, a 60-yard reverse from Anthony Jackson and an 8-yard quarterback keeper by Lucas Darr. Kicker Matt Darr hit all three extra points.

In the flyweight game, Clearwater jumped off to a 6-0 lead on a pass from Luke Loucks to Darrius Anderson, who ran 25 yards.

St. Pete responded on a pass play by Larry Murphy, and Maurice Wheeler scored the extra point for a 7-6 lead. Anderson then intercepted a pass and ran 25 yards for a second touchdown.

In the second half, Loucks scored a third touchdown on a 10-yard run and threw to Daniel Sanford for the point after to make it 19-7.

St.Pete ripped off two touchdowns and extra points in the closing minutes to take a 21-19 advantage. An interception sealed the win for the 'Lil Devils.

SYFC CHEERLEADERS: Countryside won three of four varsity Suncoast Youth Football Conference cheering titles and all three junior varsity championships.

The Azalea Bulldogs captured the pee wee title and finished third in the varsity flyweight competition. Dunedin was second in flyweight, mighty mite and pee wee divisions, and Clearwater was second in the midget.

GYMNASTICS: LaFleur's of Largo scored the highest finish at second in Level 4 of the State Championships in Daytona Beach.

The Gemini School of Gymnastics was third, and the Tampa Bay Turners were fourth. American Twisters in Pompano Beach were first.